Prelude and Introduction to the Series: The Joy of Receiving

The festive season often brings with it reflections on love, miracles, and togetherness. This year, a simple yet profound conversation with my son transformed the way I see Christmas. As we settled in to watch a Christmas movie, I shared my perspective: that Christmas is about love and miracles. His response was simple yet eye-opening: “Christmas is all about the joy of giving. It’s not just about religion, but about spreading happiness and giving.”

This thought lingered in my mind. Giving is often celebrated, and rightly so, but it also made me think about the other side of the equation: receiving. Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to be on the receiving end of countless acts of kindness and generosity. Each act, whether big or small, left an indelible mark on my heart. It’s these moments that have taught me about gratitude, connection, and the shared human experience.

As someone who enjoys writing about various topics, I realized this was a story waiting to be told. While giving fills us with purpose and joy, receiving humbles us, teaches us lessons, and reminds us of the beauty in human connection. Why not share these stories? Why not highlight how receiving can also be a profound source of joy and growth?

This series is my attempt to do just that. Over the coming weeks, I will share personal anecdotes—moments when someone’s generosity touched my life and left an unforgettable impression. These stories are not just about what I received but also about the deeper meanings behind those acts of giving.

I hope these reflections inspire you to not only give but also embrace the joy of receiving. Both giving and receiving are integral to building a world where kindness and love thrive. Let us celebrate both sides of this beautiful exchange.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to sharing my stories with you and, perhaps, hearing about your own experiences with the joy of receiving.

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Episode 1: A Family Beyond Work

I vividly remember attending an interview for the position of Manager - Technical Support at a manufacturing company in the computer network hardware industry. Coming from a technical support background, the role seemed like a good fit for me. However, there was a significant challenge: this job required me to set up a technical support center from scratch, something I had little experience with. While I had been part of pilot teams before, creating a center from the ground up was uncharted territory for me.

During the interview, I openly expressed my apprehensions about this. The role would require me to work closely with the Product General Manager and the Marketing Manager, with no one else in the company having similar experience. I was honest about my doubts, yet their response left a lasting impression. They explained their Managing Director’s simple yet profound philosophy: “This is a company that believes in family values. If someone in our family wants to do something new, they don’t need to know it or have done it already. We will support them.” They saw my potential and were willing to work with me, which gave me the confidence to take on the challenge.

With their guidance, I successfully set up the technical support center. I learned so much along the way—from location strategy and space requirements to network setups, leased lines, telephony systems, CRM software, contract drafting, and legal agreements. What made the experience truly special was how I was treated at every step. I was always respected and introduced as the lead of Technical Support to vendors, customers, and other stakeholders. I had a seat at the table, and my opinions were valued.

One of the company’s traditions was for the Managing Director to meet all new recruits. After receiving my offer, I was asked to meet him. Initially, I wondered why an MD would want to meet a Technical Support Manager. But the meeting turned out to be a pleasant surprise. He warmly welcomed me, saying, “I believe this company to be my family, so welcome to my family. Don’t hesitate to reach out for anything.”

Not everything went as planned. Our first contract fell through after I had hired and trained 50 network engineers. Faced with financial pressure, I proposed a plan to lay off a significant number of employees. My General Manager disagreed with the idea, and that night, the MD himself came to the tech support center to speak with me. He said, “Nat, imagine these employees are your family—your sons or daughters. Would you send them out of the family because they’re unable to earn for a period of time? A contract falling through is a business problem, and we will solve it. It’s just a matter of time. But I will never agree to lay off people simply because they’re not being useful at the moment. We will always earn money, but how we treat people is what truly matters.”

I was dumbstruck. Coming from an industry where margins were king, this perspective was revolutionary for me.

A few years later, when I decided to leave the organization for career growth, I was asked to meet the MD again. During our meeting, he said, “Nat, I understand you’re looking for growth. I understand that better than anyone because I started this company after working elsewhere. So, I’m with you. But remember, this is your family. Whenever you feel the need to come back, our doors are always open. I wish you all the best.”

The company’s family culture was evident in everything they did. When I attended the interview on a hot afternoon, I was made to wait in the lounge for just ten minutes and was served tender coconut water. When I asked about it, they said, “First, you are our guest. You need to be comfortable. Then we can talk business.” During festivals, they gave personalized gifts not only to employees but also to their families. At the time, my daughter was a toddler, and they gifted her a soft toy. Other employees’ children received age-appropriate gifts, showing incredible attention to detail and care.

This experience taught me the true meaning of leadership, respect, and family values in the workplace. To this day, I cherish my relationship with the people I worked with there. It’s rare to find such places, but I hope there will be more companies that embrace these values.

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